Catlinite is a fine-grained, iron-rich sedimentary rock primarily composed of clay minerals, famous for its deep red color. It is highly valued for its softness and ability to be carved into intricate shapes, most notably ceremonial pipes by Native American cultures. It is typically found in thin, stratified layers within quartzite formations.
Is this catlinite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch catlinite with a known reference. Catlinite sits at Mohs 2.5-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the textureLook at a fresh break with a hand lens. Grain size: Fine-grained.
- 3Pick out the mineralsComposition: Argillite (metamorphosed mudstone) colored red by iron compounds. Identify the two or three most abundant grains.
- 4Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: dull.
- 5Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, reddish-brown, brown.
Often confused with
Catlinite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside catlinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with catlinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 2.5-2.6 g/cm³
- Colors
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Lapidary, Decorative, Cultural
- Host rock
- sedimentary beds
- Grain size
- Fine-grained
- Composition
- Argillite (metamorphosed mudstone) colored red by iron compounds
Where rockhounds find catlinite
2 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Pipestone, Minnesota, USA
- Wisconsin, USA
- South Dakota, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: sedimentary beds. If you start seeing quartzite, calcite, hematite in float, you are in the right ground. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in South Dakota, Wisconsin. Start trip planning there.
More catlinite photos
Common questions
How do you identify catlinite?+
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Can I find catlinite in the United States?+
What rocks look like catlinite?+
What minerals are found with catlinite?+
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Find catlinite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
